System of electric-current distribution.



H. M. SGHEIBE. SYSTEM 01-? ELECTRIC CURRENT DISTRIBUTION.

APPLIUATIQN FILED OCT. 8. 1910. 1,036,914, Patented Aug. 27, 1912.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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WITNESSES: z

ATTORNEY H M. SCHEIBE. SYSTEM OF ELECTRIC CURRENT DISTRIBUTION.

APPLICATION NLRB 001. s, 1910.

Patented Aug. 27, 1912.

3 SHEETS-QIIEET 3.

' :ZTORNEY -aur ra STATES PATENT OFFICE manor]: M. seminars, or wuxrnssuue, rnunsrnvnma, assrenoa 'ro warmsrrousn :enncrmc am)- manurac'rcnme COMPANY, a coaroaarron or PENN- SYLVANIA.

SYSTEM OF ELECTRIC-CURRENT DISTRIBUTION.

Specification of Letters Patent.

latented Aug. 27,1912.

To all whom it may concern: 7

Be it known that I, HAROLD M. SCHEIBE, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Wilkinsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Systems of Electric-Current Distribution, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to systems of electric current regulation and distribution and it has special reference to such systems as embody an alternating current source of en ergy, secondary electric batteries or accumulators and an interposed vapor rectifier.

One object of my invention is to provide a system of the class above indicated that shall be particularly reliable in operation and adapted for general use where a skilled attendant is not available.

Another object is to provide an automatic governor which shall be structurally compact and positive in operation for control ling the starting and stopping of a vapor rectifier and for automatically interrupting both the alternating and the direct-current circuits of the system under predetermined abnormal conditions.

In Patent No. 959,613, granted May 31, 1910, to Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company, upon an application filed by me, is illustrated and described a relay switch or governor for vapor rectifiers used for battery-charging purposes. The relay switch is adapted to restart the rectifier upon the renewed application of alternating current energy to the supply circuit'after a temporary interruption. However, although the switch automatically re-starts the rectifying process upon its accidental discontinuance, it, nevertheless, allows the rectifying process to stop when the battery is charged to a predetermined degree.

According to my present inventioml so construct the relay switch or governor as to not only accomplish the above mentioned functions, but also to automatically interrupt both the alternating and the direct current circuits of the system, in case the current traversing the direct current circuit exceeds a predetermined amount. Various conditions may cause an overload current which, if permitted to continue, would cause a very rapid deterioration of the vapor rectifier, for example: The direct current circuit of the rectifier may be accidentally short-circuited, or conditions may arise which would-produce a short-circuit within a rectifier when the direct current circuit is connected to the terminals of a storage battery. Should any one of these abnormal conditions exist, it is highly desirable to immediately interrupt,'not only the direct current circuit of the rectifier, but also the alternating current supply circuit.

re 1 of the accompanying drawings is a iagrammatic view of a batteryvchargmg s stem embodying my invention. Figs. 2 an 3 are, respectively,a front elevation. partially in section, and a plan view of a relay switch or governor constructed. in accordance with my invention, and Figs. 4 and 5 are fragmentary views which disclose, more fully, certain parts of the structure shown.

in Figs. 2 and 3.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, alternating current energy may be supplied from any suitable source, such as generator 1, through a reactance 2, an auto transformer 3 and circuit conductors 4 and 5, to the terminals 6 and 7 of the vapor rectifier 8. Regulating dials 9 and 10- are adapted to so vary the circuit connections of the auto transformer 3 as to adjust the alternatingcurrent voltage impressed upon the rectifier. A relay switch 11 is introduced into a circuit conductor 75 which. supplies en ergy for tilting the rectifier bulb, and its coil 12 is connected in series with the direct our rent circuit of the rectifier, which may informer 3 and the other being connected to the direct current terminal 14 of the rectifier bulb. The rectifier comprises a sub.-

stantially cruciform bulb 8, a supporting frame 16- therefor which is pivotally mounts edon a shaft 17 ,'and a starting or tilting,

magnet 18 having a movable core member 20 and magnet coils 21, 22 and 23. The frame 16 is provided with a crank projection 24 which is connected to the movable core member 20, the arrangement of parts being such that, when the coils 21 and 23 are energized, the rectifier will be so tilted, in opposition to a weight 26, that the mercury within the rectifier bulb will form a circuit connection between the. direct current terminal of the rectifier and a starting terminal 27, in a well known manner.

connected at their op ite ends, toa cross strip 93,- which is xed to the frame 27, and act on the arm 75 in opposition to the i movable core member 313 of the magnet. In

fact, under normal conditions, they a rotation of the bell crank lever 7 4 which closes the circuit interrupter, forcing the movable contact members 85 and 85 into engagement with the stationary contact members 84 and 83.

In order to make the action of the circuit interrupter positive, and to avoid producing destructive electric arcs between the contact members whenever the arm 7 is moved downwardly, even to a slight degree, I pro vide a lever 94 which is pivoted at 95 on the frame 27.

In order to avoid the possibility ofthe circuit interrupter being held closed under: overload conditions, the lever 94 is preferably composed of two parts 101 and 102, as

shown in Fig. 5. The upper part 102 is connected to lever 64 by a link 96 and is provided with an offset projection 108, to; which the lower part 101 is pivotally con-' nected' at 104. In order to make the two parts operate together, under normal conditions, a strip 105, which is connected to the offset projection 103 by a fiat spring 106,. is provided with a hole 107 which is no! mally engaged by a pin project-ion 108' of the lower part 101. The lower extremity of the strip 105 is beveled and may be released from the pin .108 to permit an indendent movement of the parts 101 and 102, h; an upward movement of the yoke 76,

.. which is provided with a pawl 109, the uprend of which is beveled to engage the eveled end of the strip 105. The lower member 101 of the lever 94 is provided with notches 97 and 98. The arrangement :of 'partsis such that the spring 66, which acts on the lever 64, tends to hold the lower end of the lever 94in engagement with the projection 91 of the arm 75. When the projection 91 engages the notch 98 of the lever 94, the springs 92 are under tension and the circuit breaker may occupy its open circuit position,-as hereinafter more fully pointed out.

The latch 79 is held in engagement with the lever 94-by means of a spring 99 andif the arm 75 is released from the notch 98, the springs 92 will lift the arm 75 and produce such a rotation of the bell crank lever 74 that the latch 79 will drop into engagement with the notch 97. Under these conditions, the circuit breaker is held closed, irrespect-iie of slight movements of the arm 75. If, however, the projection 91 of the arm is forced downwardly by the action of the electro-magnet until the projection 91 engages notches 98, the spring 66 will pro duce such movementof the lever 94 as to disengage the latch 79 from the notch 97 and battery only partially charged, if the rectifying process is interrupted, for any reason, such as the interruptirm of the alternating current supply circuit, the relay switch will, of course, be closed, since the coil 12' will be definergized by reason of the failure of the current traversing the directcurrent circuit of the rectifier. An alternating current circuit is therefore completed through the role switch to the magnet coils 21 and 23 of t magnet will-'be followed by a tilting of'the nectifyin bulb. The mercury contained in the but will then form a circuit connection between the terminals 14 and 27 of the rectifier and,

by this means, the coil 21 will be short circuited, thereby choking down the magnetization across the air gap betweenthe stationary and movable core'members of the magnet and permitting the counterweight 26 to return the rectifier to its normal operating position. The short circuit, referred to above, will thus be interrupted and an electric are produced, so that the alternating current voltage applied to the rectifier terminals may start the rectifying process, in a well known manner. The action of the starting magnet will obviously be repeated if the rectifier fails to start.

The voltage applied to the rectifier bulb is so proportioned that, when the battery is fully charged, its counter-electromotive force will sufliciently oppose the direct current voltage of the rectifier to interrupt the rectifying process and denergize the relay switch. This occurs after the current has fallen below a predetermined limit which is not sufficient to keep the relay switch open, in opposition to both of the weights and, consequently, the switch has moved toward its closed position until the weight 62 comes into engagement with the bracket 32, the parts having thus been brought to rest long enough for the projection 61 of the arm 39 to come into engagement with the notch 71. When the bulb drops out, the re- 7 lay is latched, so that the circuit of the starting device is held open. In order to start the rectifier, it is necessary to release the weight rod 41, which may be accomplished by rotating the handle 67. Thus, it is apparent that the rectifying process may be automatically stopped and prevented from attempting to restart when the current traversing the direct current circuit 18, the energizing of which falls gradually below a predetermined As indicated in the diagram of Fig. 1, the

two oles of the circuit interrupter are respectively connected in the alternatlng current supply circuit and in the d rect current circuit of the rectifier. The circuit mtero rupter will, of course, remain closed under normal conditions, but it is possible that,

if the rectifier is used for battery charging purposes, the charging plug may be short-circuited, or some other accident may cause a very large current to be drawn from the direct current circuit of the system, in which case, it is desirable to automatically interrupt both the alternating and direct current circuits.

The structure of the relay switch is such, as already described, that, under overload conditions, the movable core member 36 is forced downwardly with sufficient force to, not only bring'the rod sections 88 and 90 together, but also to move the arm 75 downwardly in opposition to the action of the springs 92. If this movement is continued,

the projection 91 will be brought opposite the notch 98 of the lever 94 and the spring 66 will produce such a movement of the lever as to release the latch 79 from the notch 97 and permit the circuit breaker to open. Under these conditions, the parts of the device will occupy the positions indicated in Figs. 2 to 5, inclusive, of the drawings, and the rectifier will be stopped. In order to restart the rectifier, it is only necessary to rotate the handle grip 67 which, in addition to the functions above set forth, will produce such a movement of the lever 9-1 in opposition to the spring 66 as to release the projection 91 from the notch 98, thereby permitting the springs 92 to move the arm 7 5 upwardly and to rotate the bell crank lever 74, thereby closing the circuit interrupter.

' It is evidently impossible for an attendant to hold the circuit interrupter closed, under overload conditions, since the pawl 109 tends to disengage the lower part of the lever 94 from the upper part when the breaker is closed and, consequently, there is nothing to prevent the downward action of the electro-magnet from immediately and positively opening the circuit breaker.

, Variations in size and arrangement of parts may be effected within the spirit and scope of my invention, and I do not Wish to be limited to any specific structure except in so far aslimitations are included in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention: 1. A circuit interrupter comprising stationary contact members, a movable contact member, an actuatingarm, means acting on opposition to the closing spring.

the arm tending to close the interrupter, and an electric motor acting in opposition to said means. I

2. A circuit interrupter comprising stationary contact members, movable contact members, an arm acting indirectly on the movable member, springs connected :to the arm and tending to close the interrupter, and an electro-magnet acting on the arm,

under predetermined conditions, in opposition to the springs. v

3. A circuit interrupter comprising stationary contact members, a movable contactbearing member, an actuating armacting directly on the contact-bearing member in ,go one direction and yieldingly connected thereto in the other, springs acting on the arm and tending to close the interrupter, and an electro-magnet acting on the arm in opposition to the springs.

4. A circuit interrupter comprising stationary contact members, a movable contactbearing member, an actuating arm acting directly on the contact-bearing member. in one direction and yieldingly connected thereto, springs connected to the armand tending to close the circuit interrupter, an electro-magnet acting on the arm in opposition to the springs, and a latch adapted to engage the arm and hold the springs in ten- 96 sion.

5. A circuit interrupter comprising stationary contact members, a movable contactbearing member, an actuating arm acting directly on the contact-bearing member in 100 one direction and yieldingly connected thereto, springs connected.- to the arm and tending to close the circuit interrupter, an electro-magnet acting on the arm in opposition to the springs, and a single latch adapted to engage the contact-bearing members to hold the circuit interrupter closed or to engage the arm and hold the springs in ten- S1011.

6. A circuit interrupter comprising stationary contact members, a bell crank lever, movable contact members yieldingly or flexibly secured thereto, an actuating arm pivoted co-axially with the bell crank lever and acting directly thereon in one direction, a V springconnccting the bell crank leverand the arm, a second spring acting on the arm and tending to close the circuit interrupter, and an electro-magnet acting on the arm in 1 0 7. A circuit interruptercomprising stationary contact members, a bell crank. lever, movable contact members yieldingly secured thereto, an actuating arm pivoted co-axially with the bell crank lever and acting directly thereon in one direction, a springconnecting the bell crank lever and the arm, a second spring acting on the arm and tending to close the circuit interrupter, an electromagnet acting on the arm'in opposition to the closing' spring', a latch adapted either to prevent movement of the arm in one direction or to prevent movement of the bell crank'lever-in the opposite direction.

'8, A circuit interrupter comprising stationary contact members, a bell crank lever, movable contact members yieldingly secured thereto, an actuating arm pivoted coaxially with the bell crank lever and acting directly thereon in one'direction, a spring connecting the bell crank lever and the arm, a second spring acting on the arm and tending to close the circuit interrupter, an electro-magnet acting on the arm in opposition to the closing spring, a latch provided with a pair of opposed notches, a pawl pivotally mounted on the bell crank lever and adapted to engage one .of the notches when the circuit interrupter-is closed, said arm being engaged by the opposite notch to hold the closing spring in tension when the electromagnet has exerted sufiicient force to overcome the tension of said spring.

9. The combination with an electro-magnet having a coil and a movable core member, a relay switch actuated by the core member and means dependent upon a predetermined current traversing the coil for holding the switch open, of a circuit interrupter, and means dependent upon a predetermined greater current traversing the coil for actuating the circuit interrupter.

10. A relay switch comprising a movable contact member, an actuating lever therefor, weights suspended from the lever and tending to close the switch, and means dependent upon a predetermined movement of the contact member, from either its open a predetermined current in the electro-magnet for actuating the circuit interrupter.

11. A relay switch comprising a stationary frame, stationary and movable core members, an opening coil, a lever pivotally mounted on the stationary frame and operatively connected to the movable member of the switch, a rod suspended from the lever and having a notched projection at one side, weights attached to the rod, an arm sus pended adjacent to the rod and rovided with a finger, a means tending to orce the finger into engagement with thesnotch in the rod, with a circuit interrupter, and

means dependent upon an abnormal current in the opening coil for actuating the circuit interrupter.

12. A relay switch comprising a stationary frame, stationary and movable core members, and an opening magnet, mechanical means for holding the switch closed, and means dependent upon a slight energization of the coll for locking the switch in an in- ,termediate open position, of a circuit interrupter, and means dependent upon an abnormal energization of the coil for opening the circuit interrupter.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 24th day of Sept, 1910.

. HAROLD M. SCHEIBE.

Witnesses;

' R. J. DEARBORN, B. B. HINES. 

